Ebisubashi (Ebisu bridge) in Osaka, Japan. View towards Shinsaibashi and North Osaka. The large buildings on the horizon are the Buddhist temples Kita Mido and Minami Mido.
The photographer stood at the current location of the Kanidoraku crab restaurant.
The bridge was apparently named Ebisubashi because of its location on the road to Imamiya Ebisu Jinja, a very popular shrine for business people in Osaka.
Ebisu happened to be a derogatory term for foreigner in the mid 19th century. The country having just opened its doors to foreigners, the bridge’s name was changed to Eiseibashi in 1867 (Keio 3). This Political Correctness avant la lettre didn’t last long. Only three years later the original name was restored.1
Walking straight down the street across from the bridge you will eventually reach Shinsaibashi.
For another view of Ebisubashi, taken from a location on the left side of this photograph, see Dotonbori Canal.
Notes
1 Nagasaki University Library, Database of Old Photographs of Japan. Retrieved on 2008-02-16.
Published
Updated
Reader Supported
Old Photos of Japan aims to be your personal museum for Japan's visual heritage and to bring the experiences of everyday life in old Japan to you.
To enhance our understanding of Japanese culture and society I track down, acquire, archive, and research images of everyday life, and give them context.
I share what I have found for free on this site, without ads or selling your data.
Your support helps me to continue doing so, and ensures that this exceptional visual heritage will not be lost and forgotten.
Thank you,
Kjeld Duits
Reference for Citations
Duits, Kjeld (). Osaka 1890s: Ebisubashi Bridge, OLD PHOTOS of JAPAN. Retrieved on January 30, 2026 (GMT) from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/42/osaka-1890s-ebisubashi-bridge
There are currently no comments on this article.